The Tigers loaded the bases in the first inning and Ivan Rodriguez cleared them with a double. It looked like the offense might be breaking out, but instead the bats went cold for the rest of the night. Fortunately for the Tigers, the four-run first was enough for a win and enough to pick up a game in the race for the Wild Card.

Johan Santana had a rough start, giving up four runs to the Tigers for the first time in his career and doing it all in the first inning. For the next seven Santana settled in to dominate the Tigers as the offense clawed its way back, but the output was not enough in the Twins' loss.